Friday in the most literate of cities – Seattle, hands down

Every year Seattle battles it out with Minneapolis and Washington D.C. over the “most literate city” title. This week I unilaterally declare us the champ – for this Friday, anyway. Take a look at this author lineup: all these acclaimed authors are reading in our book-besotted city on one evening, Friday Oct. 4.

Paul Harding. Harding won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for his novel “Tinkers,” published by a tiny independent press, set in a small New England town. Harding is back with his new novel “Enon,” set a couple of generations later in the same town. 7 p.m., Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle; free (206-386-4636, spl.org ).

Bob Shacochis. This immensely talented author, who won a National Book Award for his story collection “Easy in the Islands,” returns to his favorite subject, Haiti, in his hallucinogenic, terrifying and utterly riveting novel “The Woman Who Lost Her Soul.” At 7 p.m., Elliott Bay Book Co., 1521 10th Ave., Seattle; free (206-624-6600, www.elliottbaybook.com).

Laurie R. King. The prolific and imaginative San Francisco author, creator of the Sherlock Holmes-Mary Russell series, has a new standalone novel, the creepy “The Bones of Paris.” She appears at 7 p.m., University Book Store Mill Creek, 15311 Main St., Mill Creek; free (425-385-353 0r ubookstore.com ).

Margaret Atwood. The versatile Canadian author discusses the conclusion to her dystopian trilogy, “MaddAddam.” at 7:30 p.m., Town Hall Seattle, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle; $5 (206-652-425 or townhallseattle.org). This event has sold out, but a limited number of stand-by tickets are available.

For myself, I don’t have to choose – I will be attending Humanities Washington’s “Bedtime Stories” gala at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. That event is sold out, too.

The Seattle area is home to a vibrant arts scene — there's always something going on in theaters, concert halls, galleries, museums. How to keep up? ArtsPage will showcase work by some of The Seattle Times' expert fine-arts writers, to help you navigate local art offerings. We'll include news, observations, images, humor, links and ways for you to join the conversation, too. Email the editors